Detroit Lions: Chances of a breakout year for the running game in 2019

It is fair to say the Detroit Lions have had a poor running game this century. Essentially, since Barry Sanders, arguably the greatest running back in the history of the NFL, the Lions have struggled moving the ball on the ground. The 2019 season, however, could be the year they turn that around.

Since 2000, the highest the Detroit Lions have ranked in terms of rushing yards per game was 17th, still below the league average. Even that year, 2013, was an anomaly though, as they were a bottom-five team more often than not, including four last-place finishes. They followed that 2013 season infamously, with four full seasons passing without a 100-yard game for any individual rusher. And if it is not working, why keep trying? By contrast, the Lions are often in the top third in the NFL in pass attempts. This year, though, some signs show the Lions could become more relevant in the running game.

In fact, the Lions’ running game has already been trending up. Over the past four seasons, the run to pass ratio has crept incrementally upward. Kerryon Johnson rushed for 101 yards in Week 3, getting that proverbial monkey off the back. This overall success is due to a number of reasons, which are also indicative of further success this season. For one, the running crew was decent last year and stronger this year. Johnson was on pace to rush for over 1,000 yards until he sprained his knee.

The Lions also brought in C.J. Anderson to replace LeGarrette Blount, who averaged a disappointing 2.7 yards per carry last season. Anderson, four years younger than Blount, is a high-volume back who has the capacity to run for a lot of yards if he stays healthy. He tallied 1,000 yards in 2017 after coming back from an injury. Of course, Theo Riddick has been a mainstay in Detroit since being drafted in 2013. He can run the ball by default but, in reality, has transitioned more to a receiver out of the backfield. In fact, he had almost twice as many targets last year as he did rushes.

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Not to be understated, the offensive line is fortified and–perhaps even more importantly–healthy. They are also young: three starters have fewer than three years of experience. First-round draft pick in 2016, Taylor Decker, returned for a full 2018 after missing much of his sophomore season due to injury. Frank Ragnow had a strong rookie season in which he started every game. He will look to build on the experience of his first year. At the same time, the O-line is a good mix of young talent and veteran leaders. Despite losing T.J. Lang to retirement, they will be anchored by seventh year Ricky Wagner at tackle. A significant portion of GM Bob Quinn’s draft strategy for the Detroit Lions has been focused on the offensive line. As they come to fruition, expect the running game to improve as a side effect.

For the running game to advance as expected, this would also indicate the receiving corps takes a step back. Matthew Stafford has fewer targets than ever before. For the first year in his career, he will not have an elite receiver in Calvin Johnson or, more recently, Golden Tate. Kenny Golladay has shown true promise, to be sure, and Marvin Jones has been incredibly reliable in a Lions uniform, but Detroit’s receivers are simply not as threatening as they have been in years past. Stafford is also getting older, and it is not uncommon for a quarterback to see a dip in pass attempts later in a career. Now entering his eleventh season, just that has happened to Stafford over the past three seasons.

Finally, new offensive coordinator, Darrell Bevell, loves to run the ball. In his twelve seasons as OC, his teams have led the league in rushing attempts once and rushing yards and touchdowns twice. Granted, he had two players in their primes, Adrian Peterson in Minnesota and Marshawn Lynch in Seattle. As mentioned, though, Kerryon Johnson has a lot of promise, and he is the same age as Peterson was in 2007. By inheriting the 22-year-old sophomore running back, Bevell will likely utilize Johnson in a similar fashion.

Success in the NFL requires a healthy balance of running and passing. The Detroit Lions running game, a longtime laughing stock of the NFC North, should take a leap in 2019. There are numerous reasons to suggest they are poised to do so.